Portable picture screen stand



Aug. l5, 1944. J. T. HECK PORTABLE PICTURE SCREEN STAND 2 sheets-sheet 1 Filed June 10. 1942 Aug. 15, 1944. J. T. HECK I PORTABLE PICTURE SCREEN STAND 2 sheets-sheet 2 Filed June 10, 1942` Patented Aug. 15, 1944 PORTABLE PICTURE SCREEN STAND John T. Heck, Elmhurst, I1l.,vassignor to Illa-Lite Y Screen Company, Inc., Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application June 10, 1942, Serial No. 446,461

y Claims. (Cl. 16o- 24) The present invention relates to improvements in a portable picture screen and is more particularly directed to the stand structure on which is carried a suitable reel of 'picture' screen and which stand structure may be easily and readily erected for use and collapsed and locked for portable purposes.

In setting up portable Apicture screens of this character for use, it isnecessary that they be Vpositioned to different heights to avoid obstacles in the lineof projection and to render the picture clearly visible to all in the audience. Further, it is essential that the construction be such that the structure may be set up withthe least amount of `eiort and will be relatively rigid in any of its .adjusted heights. f

. To accomplish the above-mentioned features, namely, to set up the screen for use and to thereafter collapse and lock the same into a relatively small and compact form for portable purposes,

it is necessary that the main support of the struci ture be extensible and with means 'provided whereby a predetermined extended portion of the screenwill be maintained during all of its shifting movements throughout the various heights to which the screen may be adjusted on-the main support; and when collapsedthe structure will be .automatically locked to holdlit against accidental displacement. y W

Anobject of the present invention is the provision of a portable picture screen standstructure which is simple and inexpensive in construction,

` easy to set up and having its parts related in such manner which will accomplish the above-mentioned features in the act of erectingand positioning the same for use. Y

Another object is the provision of. a portable picture* screen which, when erected, will expose a predetermined extended portion of screen and retain the same in this extended condition throughout all of the .various heights to which the screen may be adjusted.

p A further object is the provision of an extensible stand structure having an intermediate member cooperating to retain and hold a slidable extension of the ystand intextended `position and which extension is movable withthe intermediate lmember for varying theheight of the screen while in its exposed extended condition.

And a further object is the provision of automatic lock means cooperating between the intermediate member and extension for holding said extension in either raised or lowered position. f l t And a still further object is the provision of a handle on the intermediate member so positioned to be easily gripped to adjust the intermediate member and extension with respect to the stand; the handle `alsoserving as means to carry the structure when the same is collapsed for portable purposes. j

And a further object is the provision of a manually controlled lock on the intermediate member adjacent said handle and coacting with the main stand for holding the intermediate member at various positions on the main stand and which lock is adapted to be simultaneously gripped with the handle for its release to bodily move and adjust the screen to the required height.

lAnd another object is the provision of latch means on the main stand cooperating with the tripod for holding the same in open position.

Other and further objects 'and advantages of the yinvention will become apparent as the specilcation proceeds, and the novel combinations 'and arrangements of parts hereinafter described in their preferred embodiments, 'pointed out in the subjoined claims, and illustrated in the annexed drawings, wherein like'parts are designatedby the same reference characters throughout the 'several views.

In the drawingsi t Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a stru ture embodying my invention, the structure. being shown in collapsed condition for portable Figure 2 is a view in side elevation, showing the structure supported in vertical position' on its tripod, and with the extension partially raised to release and permit of a pivotal turning movement of the case and reel.

Figure 3 is a partial view in side elevation, showing the screen extended preparatory topositioning the same to the Adesired height.

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary detail `view in side elevation and partially in section showing the upper portion of the extension locked with the intermediate member and holding the case in locked position therewith.

'Figure 5 is an enlarged partial medial sectional "view taken substantially" on the line 5-5 of Figure 6. I l

Figure 6 is an enlarged detail View partially in section taken on line 6-6of Figure 5. '4

Figure 'l is an enlarged plan sectional View taken on the line 'l-'l of Figure 5.

Figure 8 is an enlarged detail perspective view lock for the extension.

' of the top cap forming a guide and the automatic v A Figure 9 is an enlarged fragmentary detail perspective View of the extension showing the slot therein for engagement with the top cap.

Figure 10 is an enlarged medial sectional View partially broken away showing the adjustable parts of the structure in the extreme raised position.

Figure 11 is an enlarged medial sectional view of the lower portion of the main stand, showing the latch means for holding the tripod in open position.

The advantages of the invention as here outlined are best realized when all of its features and instrumentalities are combined in one and the same structure, but, useful devices may be produced embodying less than the whole.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art to which the invention appertains, that the same may be incorporated in several different constructions. The accompanying drawings, therefore, are submitted merely as showing the preferred exemplication of the invention.

Referring in detail to the drawings, I5 designates a structure embodying the invention. The same includes a square tubular main stand I6 on the lower end of which is carried a collapsible tripod |'I which has the upper ends of its legs I8 pivoted at I9 to a square ring 23 which is slidable on the main stand. Binding arms 2| each have one of their ends pivoted at 22 intermediate the length of each of the legs I8, vand their other ends pivoted at 23 to a'suitable fitting 24 secured to the lower end of the main stand |6 by a screw 25 (Fig. 2). The square tu bular main stand I6 has one of its walls, preferably the back wall |6a, provided n ear its lower end with a pair of vertically aligned slotkopenings 26-26 through which extend the spaced apart formed portions 2'I and 28 of a latch member 29. The lower end of the latchmember 21 is formed to provide a square coil 3l] which snugly fits within the tubular main stand I6 and' serves to resiliently retain the formed portions 21 and 28 in the slot openings 26-26.

As illustrated in Fig. 1, the tripod I 1 is adapted to be collapsed or folded by sliding the ring 26 upwardly on the main stand I6, and when unfolded (Fig. 2), the ring 26 willpass over and depress the formed -portion 2'! of thelatch 'means until the ringengagesthe portion 23 to limit its movement and the depressed portion 21 will then spring back to hold the ring between the two formed portions 2`| and 28. v

An intermediate tubular member 3| freely surrounds the main stand I 6 and is of such a 1ength so as to extend from slightly above the top end portion of the main stand I6 to a point approximately the middle thereof. At the lower end of the intermediate member 3| is a rider 32 which is of U'shaped formation providing legs 33 and- 34 Awhich are each provided with rectangular openings 35 and 36 respectively, to receive the intermediate member 3| therein. The rider 32 is secured to the intermediate member 3| by means of a clampmember 3'!` which is of S-for-v a handle which are positioned and retained therein adjacent the rear wall 3|a of the intermediate member 3|.

The top leg 33 of the rider extends an appreciable distance outwardly and is curved slightly downwardly to provide a finger rest 46 on which an upward pressure may be exerted when the handle 45 is gripped to release the lock 43 to adjust the height of the intermediate member land'rider 32 on the main stand I6. The rider 32 also carries a case 41 which has a center band 48 welded or otherwise secured centrally of its length and which center band is pivoted to the rider by a rivet 49. The case 4'I has a spring roller or reel 50 to which is secured a exible screen web 5|, all of which are well known in the art and form no part of the present invention. The case 4l has an elongated slot 52 through which the screen web passes, and to extend'the screen for use, the web 5| is simply pulled against the tension of the reel 50 and a pull link 5Ia of the web is attached to an extension member 53 as will be presently described.

The extension member 53 is arranged to extend through the intermediate member 3| and to telescope into the main stand I6 while being guided at its upper end in a cap 54 secured to the intermediate member 3| by a screw 55. The extension member 53 has an outwardly projecting lmember 56 secured thereto, which member has an annular recess 5`| provided at its free end portion to which the pull link 5Ia is attached when the screen is extended for use. The projecting member 56 is also provided with a depending pin 58 which is adapted to extend into a suitable opening 59a in the case end-cap 59 to retain the case in aligned locked position with the extension member when the screen is not being used. The extension member 53 is provided near its top end portion with a transverse slot 60 to receive an integral inwardly directed tongue 6I of the cap 54. The member 53 is urged against the tongue 6| by a spring 62 which has its top portion 63 formed to overlie the rear Wal] 3| a of the intermediate member 3| and which vspring is retained in position by the cap 54 (Figs.

4 and 10).

Assuming now that the structure is to be set up for use, the legs" I8 of the' tripod I'| are extended by sliding the ring 20 `downwardly (Fig. 2) until it engages the latch member 29 to lock the tripod in open position. Then the extension member 53 is pulled rearwardly to disengage the slot 60 thereof from the tongue 6| of the cap 54, and the extension is raised sunlciently to Withdraw the pin 58 from the case endcap 59 (dotted lines Figs. 2 and 4), the extension member being frictionally held in raised position by the spring 62. Thecase 41 is now free to be pivotally turned to horizontal position on its pivot 49vand the pull-link 5Ia of the screen web 5I is then attached to the projecting member 56 of `the extension 53 which is then raised to its uppermost position until a slot 69a of the extension engages tongue 6| of the cap 54. At this uppermost position of the extension 53 a stop 64 of the extension is brought into engagement with the tongue 6| of thecap 54 which limits its upward movement (Fig. 10). When the extension member 53 is in this uppermost position, the screen web attached thereto is then in its predetermined extended' condition. Then the handle 45 is gripped with the forefinger underlying the `finger rest 46 and with the thumb engaging the lock means' 43v to lurge the same against its spring 44 to disengage the pawl 43a thereof -from 4one of the slots 65 provided inv the rear wall I6@ of the main stand |6.v When the lock 43 is released, the intermediate member 3|, theextension 53, the case 41 and screen web 5| are free to be bodily moved to` the desired height, at which time the pawl 43a, of'lock means 43 may engage another of the slots 65 in the wall IBa of the main stand I6, to retain the parts in raised In collapsing the structure, the lockA means 43 'is released, and the intermediate member 3|, the

extension 53, the screen web 5| and case 41 are simultaneously restored to their normal at rest positions, the lower end of the` Yintermediate member 3| and depending portion 38 of the clamp member 31 engaging a stop 61 xed tothe main stand I6 which limits their downward movements. When the parts are in the lowered positions, the screen web may be detached from the extension and permitted to reel up in the case 41 or the screen may remain attached while the extension member 53 is released from the tongue 6| of the cap 54 and the screen permitted to rewind on its reel the distance permitted by the restoring movement of the extension member, and thereafter the screen may be detached from the extension to be completely rewound in its case. At this time the case 41 is turned on its pivot 49 until it is parallel with the main stand I6, and the pin 53 is entered into opening 59a. of the case end-cap 59 and retained therein by reason of the slot 60 'engaging tongue 6| of the cap 54. Then the latch means 29` is released to collapse or fold the tripod; this is done by pressing either of the formations 21 or 28 to release the tripod ring and permit it to slide upwardly on the main stand I6. When the tripod is in this raised position, it is retained by reason of the frictional engagement .of the legs and binding arms at the pivotal pointsl, 22V and When the structure is collapsed (Fig. l),

, the handle 45 then` serves to carry the same.Y

It will be noted, that the slots 65 in therear wall |6a of the main Astand I6 are provided at given spaced intervals from approximately intermediate the length thereof to near the top end portion. These slots 65 are engageable by the pawl 43a of the lock 43 and will support the intermediate member 3| and extension 53 in any selected position on the main stand |6.

The structure shown and described is easily assembled or dismantled. In assembling the same, the main stand I6 has the tripod I1 secured thereto by attaching the fitting-24 to the lower end thereof with the screw 25. Then the case and rider assembly are introduced and the' lock 43 including spring 44 and handle 45 are placed into the small openings 4| and 42 0f the rider, and the rider is placed in position with the openings 35 and 36 thereof receiving the main stand I6 and with the rider resting on the square ring 20 of the tripod. The intermediate member 3| is now positioned on the main stand |6 and the stop 66 is placed in the slot 66a of the main stand |6 and the lower end of the intermediate member will pass over the stop 66 to retain the same and will also extend through the slots 35 and 36 of the rider. While the parts are in this position, the rider 32 and case 41 are bodily raised on the intermediate member 3| a suicient distance to expose slot 39 thereof to position'the depending portion 33 of clamp member 31 therethrough and which clamp member is secured to the rider 32 by the screw 40. The extension member 53 is then inserted through the intermediate member 3| and into the main stand I6. The cap 54 may be placed on the extention member 53 before or after the extension is in position as the projecting member 56 may be staked' or otherwise secured onto the extension. The spring 62 is then placed in position with its formed end 63 over the top end of rear wall |6a and the cap 54 is brought into place to hold the spring in position and is secured by a screw 55.

When it is desired to dismantle the structure, it is only necessary to remove screw 55 of the cap 54 and then remove the screw 40 and the clamp member 31, which renders the parts free to be separated. While the device is in either collapsed or set-up positions, the parts are locked against accidental displacement and the structure may be easily and readily set up in the act of unfolding or opening the same.

l. In a structure of the character described, the combination of a main stand having supporting legs, an intermediate member slidably carried on said main stand, a screen web and reel carried on said intermediate member, an extension member cooperating with said intermediate member for raising and lowering the height of the intermediate member, said extension member having a predetermined independent distance of movement with respect to said intermediate .member for supporting a definite length of screen web unwound from the reel, and a lock on the -intermediate member coacting with the main ing with said main stand and intermediate member for raising and lowering the height of the intermediate member, said extension member having a given independent distance of movement with respect to said intermediate member,

-means for locking said extension and intermediate members together to support a Adefinite `length of screen web unwound from said reel,

and means including a lock on the intermediate member co-acting with the main stand to selectively position said locked members to any desired position therefor on the main stand.

3. In a structure of the character described. the combination with a supporting main stand, an intermediate member slidably carried thereon, a screen web and reel carried on said intermediate member, an extension member cooperating with said intermediate member for holding a predetermined length of screen web unwound from the reel, means on said extension and intermediate members forming lock means for holding the extension member in normal and raised positions, and a manually controlled lock on the intermediate member coacting with said main stand whereby to lock said intermediate member in any position to which it may be ad- -justed While maintaining the `predetermined length of web. f-

4. In a structure of the character described, the combination of a main stand, a pair oftelescoping members carried on said main stand, a screen web and reel carried on one of said telescoping members, the other of said pair of members cooperating with said iirst mentioned member for holding a predetermined length of screen web unwound from the reel, means coacting with the said pair Vof telescoping Amembers forholdingthem in normal and raised positions, and a manually controlled lock on said rst mentioned member engageable with said main stand to vary the height of said telescoping members while maintaining the predetermined length of web.

5. In a portable and collapsible picture screen of the character described, the combination of a main stand having supporting legs, a pair of telescopable members carried on said main stand, one of said telescopable members supporting a screen web and reel thereon, the other telescopable member being adjustable With respect to said one member, means on said telescopable members cooperating to retain the telescopable members in adjusted positions, lock means on the said one telescopable member coacting with said main stand to hold said telescopable members in any position to which they may be adjusted on the main stand.

6. The combination of claim 5 hereof in which there is a locking means coacting to hold said telescopable members in relative adjusted positions, said locking means comprising a cap on one of said telescopable members having an opening therein, the other, the adjustable telescopable member having a sliding movement and a transverse shifting movement in said opening, an inwardly directed to-ngue on said cap in said opening, a spring retained by said cap and exerting a constant pressure 0n the said adjustable member urging it against said tongue, said adjustable member having openings engageable by said tongue at each limit of movement of said adjustable member.

'7. In a portable and collapsible picture screen of the character described, the combination of a main stand member having supporting legs, a pair of telescopable members carried on said main stand, one of said telescopable members supporting a screen web and reel thereon, the other telescopable member being adjustable with respect to the rst telescopable member and said main stand member, the web being adapted to be connected to said other telescopable member for maintaining a predetermined length of web unwound from the reel, means on said telescopable members cooperating to retain them in adjusted positions, lock means on said rst mentioned telescopable member for locking the same at difiereni; heights on said main stand while maintaining the predetermined length of web.

8. In a portable and collapsible picture screen 0f the character described, the combination of a stand structure comprising a main member and a plurality of telescoping members cooperating to raise and lower the height of the main member, one of said telescoping members being adjustable with respect to theother members, lock means including a handle on the second telescoping member coacting with the main member whereby to adjust said telescoping members with respect to said main member, and a screen web and reel carried on -said second-mentioned telescoping member including means on said Web for attachment to said first-mentioned telescoping member for holding a definite length of web unwound from said reel. f

9. In a portable and collapsible picture screen of the character described, the combination of a stand structure comprising, a main member, a plurality of telescoping Amembers cooperating to raise and lower the height of the said member, one of said telescoping members being adjustable with respect to the other telescoping member, lock means on the said other extensible member coacting with the main member for locking said telescoping members in selected positions on said main member, a screen web and reel carried on the second-mentioned telescoping member, means associated with the rst mentioned member including means on said web for attachment therewith for holding a definite length of web unwound from said reel and then maintaining this denite length of web in any position to which the screen is adjusted on the main member.

10. In a portable collapsible stand for picture screens, the combination of a case and reel having a flexible picture screen wound thereupon, a main stand, a pair of telescoping members on said main stand, means for mounting said case for rotation from horizontal position to a vertical position on one of said telescoping members and in parallel relation therewith, said other telescoping member adapted for vertical adjustment and having projecting means to which the end of the screen is detanhably connected when the case is in horizontal position, and means adapted to lbe engaged by said projection for locking the case against movement when the case and reel are in parallel relation to the said telescoping members.

JOHN T. HECK. 

